Neid to continue glory hunt

Germany coach Silvia Neid is targeting a clean sweep of international honours after extending her contract with the German Football Association until 2013.

Confidence boostThe news will boost an already confident team as they prepare to take on Belgium in a UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifier on Sunday, their first home match since retaining the FIFA Women's World Cup in China last month, a tournament they wish to host next time round. "We are not lacking in goals," said the 43-year-old. "In 2008 we have the Olympic tournament in Beijing, and in 2009 we want to defend our European title. In 2011 the World Cup is waiting – hopefully in Germany.

Federation backing"The extension is a big indicator of trust for me because it is early and it is also very long which gives me certainty in my plans,” added Neid, who took over from Tina Theune-Meyer in July 2005. "I hope I can justify the faith shown in me." Sunday's match provides German supporters with a chance to salute Neid and her all-conquering side after defeating Brazil 2-0 in the final in Shanghai on 30 September. After the Belgium match in Lubeck's Lohmühle Stadion, Germany face the Netherlands four days later in Volendam.

AbsenteesHowever, Neid will have to do without a number of her victorious squad as midfielder Renate Lingor has a muscle fibre injury in the upper leg while Sandra Smisek is unavailable due to work commitments with the police. Anja Mittag and Sonja Fuss have been called up as replacements to the 18-player party. "The squad is smaller than in the World Cup and I had to leave out players, which I didn't like as everyone who was involved in the tournament deserved to be in the team for the first home match afterwards," said Neid.

Strong defenceGermany sit top of Group 4 with three wins from as many matches and are yet to concede, continuing their imperious defensive performance from the World Cup when they kept six clean sheets. And Neid is eying two more wins from the forthcoming matches to take a big step towards securing qualification for the EURO finals. "We want to take six points from the two games and make a huge step in the direction of Finland," she said.